Rugby League World Cup Live: Australia Takes on New Zealand in Opener

The 2026 Rugby League World Cup kicks off tonight with a highly anticipated match between Australia and New Zealand.

Team Lists

The New Zealand team features several State of Origin stars, including fullback Kalyn Ponga and centre Dane Gagai, who will be making their debut as Kiwis.

"The change to State of Origin eligibility rules has been a major boost to the Kiwis," said a report.

The New Zealand team includes:

• Backs: 1 Kalyn Ponga, 2 Jamayne Isaako, 3 Dane Gagai, 4 Casey McLean, 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6 Kodi Nikorima, 7 Jahrome Hughes
• Forwards: 8 James Fisher-Harris, 9 Jeremy Marshall-King, 10 Moses Leota, 11 Isaiah Papali'i, 12 Briton Nikora, 13 Joseph Tapine
• Interchange: 14 Te Maire Martin, 15 Naufahu Whyte, 16 Erin Clark, 17 Xavier Willison, 18 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 19 Keano Kini

Australia's coach, Kevin Walters, has largely stuck with the team that won the Ashes last year.

"Coach Kevin Walters has stuck pretty loyal with players who were part of his Ashes-winning side last year," said a report.

The Australian team includes:

• Backs: 1 Reece Walsh, 2 Jack Bostock, 3 Latrell Mitchell, 4 Kotoni Staggs, 5 Tom Trbojevic, 6 Cameron Munster, 7 Mitchell Moses
• Forwards: 8 Patrick Carrigan, 9 Harry Grant, 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, 11 Jacob Preston, 12 Liam Martin, 13 Isaah Yeo
• Interchange: 14 Tom Dearden, 15 Cameron Murray, 16 Reuben Cotter, 17 Keaon Koloamatangi, 18 David Fifita, 19 Bradman Best

Match Details

The match will begin at 8:05pm AEDT in NSW, ACT, Victoria, and Tasmania.

Here are the start times in other Australian states and territories, and countries in the tournament:

• 7:35pm ACDT: South Australia
• 7:05pm AEST: Queensland, PNG
• 6:35pm ACST: Northern Territory
• 5:35pm AWST: Western Australia
• 9:05pm FJT: Fiji
• 10:05pm NZDT: New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa
• 11:05pm CKT: Cook Islands
• 10:05am BST: United Kingdom
• 11:05am CEST: France
• 12:05pm EEST: Lebanon

Tournament Draw

The full 2026 men's Rugby League World Cup draw is as follows:

Thursday, October 15: Australia v New Zealand

Friday, October 16: Samoa v France

Saturday, October 17: England v Tonga XIII

Papua New Guinea v Lebanon

Sunday, October 18: Fiji v Cook Islands

Friday, October 23: Tonga XIII v Lebanon

Saturday, October 24: England v France

Papua New Guinea v Samoa

Sunday, October 25: Australia v Fiji

New Zealand v Cook Islands

Friday, October 30: England v Papua New Guinea

Saturday, October 31: Australia v Cook Islands

New Zealand v Fiji

Sunday, November 1: Tonga XIII v Samoa

Lebanon v France

Saturday, November 7: Semifinal 1

Sunday, November 8: Semifinal 2

Sunday, November 15: Final